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WEISMANSWERS 2009-05 (May)

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Rafael writes...

We are going to see in the Spectacular Spider-man more science fiction elements that exist in the comicbooks like aliens and journeys through time and space. And supernatural elements like travel to other dimensions via magic, and the presence of supernatural creatures like Morbius the vampire and the transformation of Stan Carter into the Sin-eater.

Greg responds...

No comment.

Response recorded on May 29, 2009

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Todd Jensen writes...

In "Avalon Part One", Tom is dubbed Guardian of the Eggs by Princess Katharine, in a manner that evokes being knighted - and is indeed depicted as dressed like a knight as an adult, as well as (while he's still a boy in Scotland, at the time of Constantine's coup) wearing a sort of medieval uniform marking his new position. Was there any influence here from his namesake, the boy Tom whom Arthur knights at the end of "The Once and Future King" and charges with keeping the memory of Camelot alive (a parallel that stands out all the more because of the Arthurian links in "Avalon"), or was this just a coincidence?

Greg responds...

Definitely influenced. I don't think we were being subtle.

Response recorded on May 29, 2009

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Robert Lee writes...

Hey Greg, I'm a huge fan of The Spectacular Spiderman, and by far it is the best Spiderman series that I have seen. I was curious to see if there were any further developments on a season 3 for the show. So I guess my question is:
Will there be a season 3? If so when do u expect it to make its debut?

Greg responds...

Seriously? You didn't see the thirty plus times I've already answered this question or the thirty plus times this question was in the queue ahead of yours. I mean, dude, do you think I'm HIDING a pick-up from you guys?

<sigh> We won't know anything until sometime AFTER the SECOND season starts airing on Disney XD in late june. Figure July or August for news on a pick-up. If it comes, I'd guess ew episodes would probably be held for September 2010.

Response recorded on May 29, 2009

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Heather writes...

In the series Elisa's hair color seems to be dark blue, although it is black considering her African and Native American ancestory. Is the reason you did this because of the series' generally dark color scheme and the probability of it getting lost in the background if it were black?

Or do you just like the color blue? :P

Greg responds...

There's kind of a tradition in comics and cartoons to use blue to highlight black hair. You can't highlight black with black. And lightening the black, i.e. making it grey, makes a character look old. If you use brown, then the character's hair looks brown, not black. For most people, the dark blue sheen on black hair still reads as black hair.

Response recorded on May 29, 2009

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Bazell writes...

in a previous response, you stated about the Spectacular Spider-Man series, "We have been provided with a list of characters as per Sony's contractual agreement with Marvel."
When you were given the list, where there any surprises as to characters you wish/thought you had access to or wondered why he or she was being offered for a Spider-Man series?
Any chance you can divulge the list?

Greg responds...

Kingpin wasn't on the list, which semi-surprised me. Not like I'm unaware of how Miller turned him into Daredevil's arch-nemesis, but still, he was created as a Spidey opponent. There was no one on the list that surprised me. And, no, that's a Sony/Marvel legal document. I can't post it.

Response recorded on May 29, 2009

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Paul writes...

A few questions about changes to and potential changes from the comics in The Spectacular Spiderman:

1) Are Kraven and Chameleon siblings or half-siblings in this series, as they are in the comics?

2) Is Chameleon's surname Kravinoff in this series?

3) Why was the decision made to make Liz Allan and Mark biological siblings in this series?

Greg responds...

1. No comment.

2. No comment.

3. We were combining Mark Raxton with Bennett Brant. Bennett was Betty's full sibling and it made the emotional context more intense. So that's the direction we followed.

Response recorded on May 28, 2009

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Heather writes...

Just curious, who taught Goliath to read? He proved to be an avid book lover from the start of series and there were some pretty good classics in there. :)

Greg responds...

Demona.

Response recorded on May 28, 2009

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Arthur Jr. writes...

Here's a bunch of things I have to ask you

* I got your Kingpin and Marvel Team-Up response. I'm just wondering that if you plan to break the record of seasons that the 90's series have should "The Spectacular Spider-Man" be popular, you might feature the said heroes then. Any chance you want to break the record if Sony will allow it?

* Though the rights and contracts to Kingpin aren't available is what a know now. Yet I didn't get your answer on the Beetle from the same question though. Of course it could be that he came when other heroes and villains were introduced over time. Right?

* When I first heard Hobie Brown in "Opening Night," I thought it was Greg Cipes voicing him. It turned out to be Charles Duckworth voicing him. Good thing the credits confirmed me on that.

* When Silvermane was featured, Silver Sable (who led the mercenary Wild Pack team in the comics) was featured as his daughter. I guess this was a creative part on your side since his son Joseph Manfredi (known in the comics as Daredevil villain Blackwing) wasn't introduced yet. I did like that you made Silvermane a bit younger than his comics counterpart.

* Doctor Octopus being an OsCorp scientist and the accident that caused his tentacles to be apart of him reminded me of the Ultimate Marvel version of Doctor Octopus (whose tentacles have ends that are made up of nanobots that enable the tentacles to have various lethal accessories transforming the three-pronged 'claws' into flamethrowers, tasers, and machine guns) at the time the Ultimate Marvel version of the Green Goblin came into view. In the Ultimate Marvel Comics, Doctor Octopus blamed the accident on the Ultimate Marvel version of Justin Hammer (who was responsible for creating the Ultimate Marvel versions of Electro and Sandman).

Greg responds...

1. It's not like there's some competition. That was a Spider-Man for it's time. I'm trying to do one for now. And exactly what record are you talking about anyway? How do you measure it? This is silliness, frankly. First of all, it's moot until we get a pick-up. Second of all, it's moot until I have legal access to these other characters. And third, my basic response hasn't changed. I'd like to use Kingpin, and I'd like to do the OCCASIONAL team-up. But I'm not going to change the game plan to break some record that we both know doesn't really -- and shouldn't -- exist.

2. Simply put, Beetle isn't on the approved list. If I had to guess, I'd say he's on the Fantastic Four's list. Or maybe Daredevil's. But he's not on Spidey's.

3. Yep.

4. Thanks.

5. Is there a question here? I was definitely influence at least in part by early issues of Ultimate. But the bigger influence was of course Lee/Ditko.

Response recorded on May 28, 2009

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RandomStan writes...

since the trade comic books are done and coloured can you please tell us what colour Katana, Fu-Dog, and Nashville will be? especially with Katana it has been the subject of much debate aroun the fans.

Greg responds...

Yes, I can.

Response recorded on May 28, 2009

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Greg Bishansky writes...

Just a comment on an archetype that seems to be a theme in your shows. I can't help but notice that the series you produce are populated by tricksters.

Puck is an obvious and classic example, the original trickster. Also, "Gargoyles" has Raven, Anansi, and Coyote who were also literal tricksters.

Beyond that, one of the lead villains, Xanatos, was a trickster... he even said so himself. That's an interesting choice of archetypes for the primary antagonist.

Thailog, while you've cited the bastard archetype often enough, outside of that, he seems like a trickster as well. Which makes sense since he was programmed by one. Granted, he's a more malevolent trickster than Xanatos, but he still displays those characteristics.

Meanwhile, over in in "Spectacular," you have Spider-Man as, perhaps, the most benevolent trickster you have yet to write. Fitting, he is the hero after all, and the people he acts like a trickster towards usually have it coming.

And, of course, you have a more sinister trickster in Green Goblin, hie arch-nemesis.

I know from personal experience how difficult tricksters can be to write, as I've often had to jump through hoops to do it right,

I haven't seen WITCH so I have no idea if this archetype shows up there or not. But it seems to me like the trickster archetype is a favorite of yours to write, and you do it so well.

So, does it just come naturally? Is Greg Weisman a trickster himself, or do you ever find yourself jumping through hoops as I sometimes do to create schemes worthy of the trickster you're writing?

Greg responds...

There's some definite hoop-jumping going on. Personally, I'm more of a bastard than a trickster. But I do enjoy both archetypes, so I do the work to make them worthy.

You'll notice, however, that each of the tricksters you named, with the exception of Xanatos, were based on existing sources, which helps. As for Xanatos, he was a variation on General Eiling (from Captain Atom), who was more of a bastard. And Eiling, in turn, was loosely based on Captain Kirk, or rather a dark mirror of Kirk (and, no, that's not a reference to the "Mirror, Mirror," as the Mirror Kirk in that episode couldn't fool anyone).

Thailog is more in the classic bastard mode than the trickster mode -- at least in my mind -- though I'll admit there's definite overlap between the two archetypes.

Response recorded on May 28, 2009

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Paul writes...

Thanks for doing such an amazing job with The Spectacular Spiderman. Both seasons are really enjoyable. I've just got two questions:

1) Why is it that a lot of the background music in season 2 was stuff that had previously been used in season 1? Aside from character themes, nothing seemed to be repeated in season 1, but in season 2, lots of music from previous episodes kept popping up again and again. Was a smaller budget used for the music in the second season?

2) The animation in season 2 seemed to be weaker than season 1 as well. Some episodes looked beautiful, but others seemed a bit choppy and off-model at times, like "First Steps" and "Identity Crisis". Was there a smaller budget for the animation in season 2?

Greg responds...

1. Themes were reused intentionally -- and by the second season we had a LOT more themes to reuse -- but to my knowledge, no actual music was reused, and I attended EVERY music spotting session, muisc preview session and sound mix.

2. No. We've had inconsistent animation here and there both seasons. Both our seasons contain some of our most gorgeous stuff and some of our weakest stuff.

Response recorded on May 27, 2009

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Bazell writes...

This Spider-Man question pertains to the show's relationship to the official "canon" of the long running comic book (now in the early 600s for issue numbers).
When Marvel comics first started getting more popular due to books like Amazing Spider-Man and Fantastic Four, the connections between the books began to take shape along the way, sometimes independant of the individual on-going arcs. In some history channel documentary on comics I saw, Stan Lee talked about the creation of the shared world of many super-hero characters, the "Marvel Universe," began in an issue of Fantastic Four in which Reed was giving some press conference. the artists decided to draw Peter Parker as one of the photographers, clearly representing the Bugle at the event. That was somewhat of a digretion, but an interesting tidbit nonetheless.
Anyway, The Spectacular Spider-Man has clearly not had any interaction with any other Marvel characters for all the obvious reasons, but has also not to my knowledge acknowledged - even peripherally - the existence of other Super-Heroes elsewhere. Is it still safe to assume that the action depicted in the show is in the context of the Marvel Universe's continuity of, say, the mid to late 60s, which comprises a good portion of the storylines from which you are drawing?

Greg responds...

In my mind, yes. But until we get legal permission, I can't acknowledge that in the series itself. I even had to fight to use the phrase "Amazing Spider-Man" in the first episode, as we're not allowed to use that either generally.

Response recorded on May 27, 2009

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Bazell writes...

**SPIDER-MAN SPOILERS**

Spidey's original suspision of Norman as the goblin seemed justified when he saw Osborn come out of the disguised doorway at a time convenient to a quick goblin getaway. However, later Harry reveals that the door just led to a wine cellar. Seeing as how they already seem to reside on a top floor penthouse, how much extra room do the walls have? WAS there a goblin hideaway behind the hidden wine cellar?

Greg responds...

SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!

No comment.

Response recorded on May 27, 2009

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Cartoonlover writes...

Do you know what Spectacular Spider-Man's ratings on Disney XD are like? There is no mention anywhere.

Greg responds...

I have a vague idea. Relative to the network's general ratings and given the fact that so far they've only aired reruns, they seem to be respectable, especially after being cumed. I'd like to see them higher, but frankly no matter high they get, it's hard to imagine me NOT feeling that way still.

Response recorded on May 27, 2009

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Spidey writes...

Hey Greg. I love the Spectacular Spider-Man and wanted to know if you have anymore plans for Venom in future seasons.

Greg responds...

Yes.

And before anyone starts posting a shopping list of characters, let me state that, YES, I have future plans for EVERY SINGLE character already introduced or mentioned, including the dead ones, and for many that have not yet been introduced or mentioned. And NO, I'm not going to reveal them here anytime soon. So there's no need to ask.

Response recorded on May 27, 2009

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Greg Bishansky writes...

And, since I haven't asked a "Gargoyles" question in a while, I figure... why not.

You've said in the past that Demona still carries a torch for Goliath. Now, some have disagreed considering how often she's tried to kill him. But, I see it. I think it is most apparent in "Hunter's Moon Part Two"

When they were trapped in the Hunters' airship and Goliath was talking about vengeance, and shortly after seemed to kill one of the Hunters along with her. Demona seemed... excited... aroused even.

Granted, she still didn't tell him about her master plan, but... she seemed to me to think that maybe she would finally get through to him.

So, was she hoping to finally get her man back once it was all over? Obviously, we all know that even if Demona had succeeded, he'd never have gone back to Demona, but the way she's animated there and the way Marina Sirtis performed her dialogue definitely suggests to me that her attraction to Goliath is alive and... not sure if I'm going to say well, but it's definitely there.

Greg responds...

I definitely think it's there, but I'm not at all sure she recognizes or is capable of acknowledging her true feelings.

Response recorded on May 27, 2009

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Greg Bishansky writes...

Another Spidey question.

Is Midtown High a private school in "Spectacular Spider-Man?" I'm a bit puzzled that Peter and Flash both live in Queens and attend High School in Manhattan.

It's got to be top notch if they can get a major Broadway star like St. John Devereaux to direct the school play.

Obviously, Norman Osborn would send his son to a top notch school, and Liz's parents seem well off enough to do the same. Ditto with Robbie being the Editor-in-Chief of a major metropolitan paper. As well George Stacy as a police captain.

But, considering the Parkers' money problems, if Midtown is a private school, how did they afford to get Peter in there and keep him there?

Greg responds...

M-cubed: Midtown Manhattan Magnet Senior High School. It's a public "magnet" school, with a number of different magnets on campus, including a Science Magnet, a Drama Magnet and a Civics Magnet. Flash is in the latter, though one gets the sense that his football prowess may have had something to do with getting him in.

It is considered one of the best overall programs in the city.

Response recorded on May 27, 2009

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Greg Bishansky writes...

*** MAJOR SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN SPOILERS ***

*** I'M SERIOUS ***

*** OKAY, DON'T BLAME ME ***

1. So, I'm curious. When did Norman Osborn start preparing for his stint as the Green Goblin? Before "Survival of the Fittest"? After?

2. I also noticed that on Osborn's laptop monitor when he calls Peter and Harry out onto the balcony, there's a pumpkin bomb.

It seems to me like he's been preparing for this for a while now. Granted, he stole the glider just after Hammerhead threatened him. But, since "Catalysts" and "The Invisible Hand" take place on the same day, and Norman had that Goblin mask, costume and weapons ready to go, it makes me wonder.

So, question 3. Was he always planning to take control of the Big Man's empire? Or did Hammerhead threatening him push him there?

*** OKAY, DON'T BLAME ME ***

*** I'M SERIOUS ***

*** MAJOR SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN SPOILERS ***

Greg responds...

SPIDEY SPOILERS!!!!!

1. Depends what you mean by "preparing". But the main impetus was being kidnapped and attacked by Vulture. He did not enjoy being that vulnerable. There was a line to that effect in "Final Curtain", but it was cut for time.

2. Was there a question here?

3. It wasn't just Hammerhead's single speech.

Response recorded on May 27, 2009

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Dan writes...

Hi Greg.

Big fan of all your work and just wanted to ask some general questions, none of which involve the possible Season 3 of TSS. (We're all hoping the show gets picked up!)

1. I'm very much interested in a career in screen writing, comic writing, and/or video game story writing. What steps did you take or what steps do you recommend for those pursuing this career? I'm an English major with a writing minor and I wondered if college degree played a large role.

2. Can you elaborate on any of the possible restrictions you may face if you persue the death of the Stacy's storyline or the introduction of Carnage? I'm not asking "if" you will develop these storylines in later seasons, but more of what kind of restrictions were you presented with for TSS. We all know how strict FOX was for the mid-90s animated series.

Thanks Greg.

Greg responds...

1. It helped me -- a lot. Both in terms of the education I received making me a better writer and in terms of the resume thing helping me get my first jobs at both DC Comics (from Dick Giordano) and Disney (from Gary Krisel). So I'm big on education. Beyond that, I've gone into greater detail in the past, so check the ASK GREG archives. But my recommendation is to READ a lot. WRITE a lot. And PROOFREAD a lot.

2. I haven't had any significant restrictions to date. Standards & Practices is NOT the reason those stories you mentioned weren't part of the first two seasons.

Response recorded on May 26, 2009

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Vaevictis Asmadi writes...

Hello Greg,

I have a question about language and translations.
Concerning the language "issue" in the Avalon World Tour, and the fact that everybody encountered by the travellers seems to speak English, you once wrote,
<<"Avalon compensates when it sends people to where they need to be...">>

From your response to my "Reunion" review, long ago, it appears this is still the case in canon-in-training. But is this also why Angela can apparently speak English? She seems to speak English in Manhattan. At least, she and Elisa understand one another. It also seems that something was happening when Tom came to New York, and spoke to Morgan and Elisa. Likewise, King Arthur is able to speak to Griff and the Manhattan Clan. And the Avalon clan and their human parents had no trouble talking to Elisa. King Arthur, Tom, the Magus, and Katherine all went to Avalon before the Norman Invasion of England, so they cannot possibly have learned anything resembling modern English before they went there.

1. What is the reason that Angela, Tom, and King Arthur can communicate with modern English speakers?

2a. Do they notice they (or the people they are talking to) are speaking a different language?
b. Did Elisa, Goliath, and Angela notice the language changes during the World Tour?

3. Yes or no: Is this effect(s) on Angela and/or King Arthur permanent?

Greg responds...

1. Again, I'm reduced to the notion that Avalon compensates.

2a. They don't seem to.
2b. They didn't seem to.

3. Seems to be.

Response recorded on May 26, 2009

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anonymous writes...

Hi, can yu confirm yet if Doctor Octopus will be back in season three? I love what you've done with Doc Ock on this show.

Greg responds...

No comment.

Response recorded on May 26, 2009

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Malinda writes...

I was wondering if you or someone else illustrated this show?

Greg responds...

I'm not sure which show you're referring to, but in any case, I don't draw.

Response recorded on May 26, 2009

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ChickenChaser writes...

I know this has been asked alot and everytime you say you have answered it by i have searched through the archives again and again and cannot find your response apart from (im not calling you a liar maybe the question was kicked i dunno)

Confused Fan [Shocker Question] writes...
So, Montana was the Shocker.
Does this mean that Montana is Herman Schultz? :S
I think Montanas real name has never been told even in the comics?

Greg responds...
If it makes you happy...

So i have to know, why the combination of these characters, also as this is my sirst comment kudos on the show, i love it, and i discovered it by accident whilst watching the 90's series on youtube i saw a link and thought why not and was pleased to see what a great job you have done. I am very new to the comics and nearly all the stuff i know is from wiki (which i hope i can trust) anyway feel like i should ask some more questions:

2) Who is your fav villian, you probably have answered this but wasnt in first 100 question asked to you (i do have a life honest)

3) when (optimistic) season 3 comes out do you know the gap between release in US and uk (as i live in uk)

ok that will do for now, thanks again for an amazing show which appeals to all ages

Greg responds...

1. I'm just not getting into this again. I know it's in the archives. I'm not calling you a liar either, but look again.

2. I've answered this to. I don't have one. I like 'em all.

3. No idea.

Response recorded on May 26, 2009

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ChickenChaser writes...

Just another wuick one, Is the thing about harry being framed as the goblin a new idea or has it appeared in comics, i thought this was so funny and was like wtf thats not right and then when it made it look like his mum in the return of the goblin i was so confused so good work.

Greg responds...

You don't know how hard it is to keep an audience guessing -- or at least off-balance -- when they already know the answer. We obviously added a few twists and turns.

Response recorded on May 26, 2009

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Akif kahn writes...

hi Greg I wached all of taginghe spectacular spiderman episodes 1-26 it left me haning I hope you get a pick up of season 3 I hope so they can add Professor Miles Warren as jackal and Hobgoblin and Scorpion.
best spiderman show ever

Greg responds...

Thank you.

Response recorded on May 22, 2009


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